On Tuesday, Comet Ping Pong reopened its doors for the first time since a gunman opened fire into the D.C. pizza restaurant.
Conspiracy theories are still swirling as the accused shooter, Edgar Welch, sits behind bars. Some of those conspiracy theories are now focusing on his involvement.
Meanwhile, Comet Ping Point held somewhat of a quiet opening. A few patrons waited in the rain to get inside.
“This is a neighborhood business and I want to support it. And I want to support ‘Politics and Prose’ and also ‘The Little Red Fox.’ So, I’ve got to make sure these don’t become the subject of some ill-advised campaign that’s misinformed," said Lisa Natanson.
“I’d like to say that we’ve been completely overwhelmed and incredibly, incredibly touched by the support of our community here in Washington and around the world,” said Comet Ping Pong owner, James Alefantis. “We look forward to serving you for many years to come.”
Alefantis said this just before dropping off a few pizzas for members of the press. He did not allow cameras inside.
All day people had been dropping by only to find a locked door. Outside on the restaurant’s fence, a few more signs of support and more flowers appeared.
Frustrations in the area have stretched from safety concerns to concerns over the person or people responsible for creating these fake news reports.
“It’s depressing. It’s wrong that people should spread fake news that ends up with people’s lives being at risk,” said a 13-year-old, who stopped to take a look at those signs with her father. The stories circulating online, they explain, are taking a toll on both of them.
“We have some friends who were here before the gunman was here and we wanted to make sure that we’re standing with this community and showing our support from them,” said the teen’s father, Adam Bobrow.
“I think it’s outrageous … Yes, this guy took action and he came with a gun, but who put this fake story out there in the first place? Can they trace it? Can they do something about it?,” said Bobbie Carroll.
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for National Security, retired General Michael Flynn, is facing backlash for tweeting a false story involving Hillary Clinton and a sex scandal.
While this tweet was not about the #pizzagate theories targeting Comet, his son did actually fuel the fire by tweeting “until #pizzagate is proven to be false, it’ll remain a story.” The tweet goes on to read “the left seems to forget #PodestaEmails and the many ‘coincidences’ tied to it.”
Until #Pizzagate proven to be false, it'll remain a story. The left seems to forget #PodestaEmails and the many "coincidences" tied to it. https://t.co/8HA9y30Yfp
— Michael G Flynn🇺🇸 (@mflynnJR) December 5, 2016
“That’s disgraceful. How does that even qualify someone for office,” said Bobbie Carroll’s husband, Bill Carroll.
Flynn Jr. didn’t start the conspiracy but his posts, sharing these stories, is what D.C. police have asked people to stop doing.
All this circles around a business whose owner reportedly supported Clinton.
“The results of the election are just very, very sad. This is just the beginning," said Bill Carroll.
Not everyone in the area is sad about the election results, but many are equally frustrated over what’s happened to the pizza restaurant and its neighboring businesses.
Even the White House Press Secretary, John Earnest, commented. He called it ‘deeply troubling’ that some of these false reports could lead to violence.
Many of the patrons who cannot make it on Tuesday are planning to come back for Friday’s ‘Stand with Comet’ event.
Supporters plan to eat pizza and show love. On Facebook, more than 1,000 people have said they will go. The event will take place Dec. 9 from open to close.
